Chapter 4: I still have to rush to the scene

Jiang Hao remained impassive, changing the subject once again. "Dedication. It seems like your newlywed life is quite interesting, huh?"

Chen Jingye smiled shyly, and in the expectant eyes of Yun Qing, he hesitantly squeezed out a few words, "What's going on? Why hasn't the coffee arrived yet?"

Yun Qing gave him a glare and decided to ask herself, "Jiang Hao, what are your hobbies usually?"

"Shooting, horse racing, camping, boxing, and occasionally going out to sea."

"..." They had nothing in common. Yun Qing persisted, "Hehe, do you like watching movies? There's a movie theater nearby. How about we go watch a movie after dinner? Xinyi likes to watch movies in her spare time, quite a refined hobby."

Jiang Hao raised an eyebrow and said nonchalantly, "Sorry, I never waste time on meaningless things like that."

The atmosphere once again turned icy.

Qiao Xinyi sat there feeling like a pin cushion. She had been on so many blind dates that she thought she was immune to anything, but meeting such an arrogant man was a first for her. She thought she had become numb to the trend of blind dates and could handle any type of person. But she was a person with a temper, and she had lofty aspirations. The man sitting across from her was well-dressed and well-mannered on the surface, but his eyes revealed his arrogance.

Just when she was already furious with her aunt, she had endured it for her mother's sake. Now, facing this arrogant man, she couldn't bear it any longer.

At that moment, the waiter arrived, serving the coffee and handing out the menu.

Qiao Xinyi pushed the menu away, saying, "Don't bother with me, just give it to them." With that, she took out two hundred yuan bills from her wallet and placed them on the table. "I'll treat for the coffee. I won't join you for the meal, I don't have the money or the time. I'll leave first, take your time."

"Xinyi, don't go," Yun Qing said, feeling extremely embarrassed as she quickly pulled her back.

"Sorry, Yun Qing, I have somewhere else to be."

"Somewhere else?"

Qiao Xinyi smiled coldly, casting a disdainful glance at Jiang Hao. She deliberately spoke loudly, "Yes, blind dates like this are really meaningless. Since it's meaningless, let's not waste each other's time. I have to rush to another appointment. Yun Qing, see you at the office tomorrow."

She turned and left, her high heels clicking on the rough floor tiles. The three remaining people looked at each other, and Jiang Hao's eyes flashed as he finally looked at Qiao Xinyi's retreating figure. His curiosity, which had not been piqued for a long time, began to stir under Qiao Xinyi's words.

Well, this woman who cried in the men's restroom and had her makeup smudged was not completely brainless. She was quite interesting.

---

In the bustling street, people hurried by. If it weren't for her high heels accidentally stumbling, Qiao Xinyi wouldn't have noticed Ji Xiaohai standing at the entrance of the hospital.

Ji Xiaohai didn't look well. He was a clean person and would never allow himself to have a scruffy beard and wear a yellowing white shirt.

Seeing him not doing well made her happy.

Perhaps it was the bright sunlight outside, or the cool breeze today, she shivered involuntarily. She had never thought she would face this man so calmly, not even feeling a hint of struggle within her.

"Xinyi, long time no see. How... how are you?" Ji Xiaohai seemed unprepared, but his eyes were full of anticipation. Qiao Xinyi knew this man too well.

"Heartfelt... are you doing well recently?" Ji Xiaohai smiled and stepped on the scattered cigarette butts on the ground. Obviously, he was taken aback by this unexpected encounter and was caught off guard.

Qiao Xinyi forced a smile. For someone who had her fiancé stolen by her best friend and then quickly received their wedding invitation, for someone who was busy with work and had to deal with various blind date dinners, for someone who had encountered two terrible blind date men in one day, could she be doing well?

But she would never show any sign of her not doing well in front of Ji Xiaohai.

She straightened her back, having dressed up carefully for the blind date. She was confident in herself at this moment. "I'm doing great. My boss values me, my colleagues get along well, and I've made several new friends. I have a meeting nearby with someone I've arranged to meet."

Ji Xiaohai pursed his lips, a common gesture when he was at a loss for words. He was thinking about what to say. But some words, when they reached his lips, he hesitated to say them. He simply said, "Is that so? That's good. I... I also have something to do. You can go, don't keep someone waiting."

"Okay." Qiao Xinyi smiled brightly, but she didn't know how fake her smile was.

Ji Xiaohai ran his hand through his hair, looking somewhat distressed, but he didn't say anything. He just turned and walked into the hospital.

His departing figure seemed somewhat desolate.

At that moment, Qiao Xinyi realized that she had underestimated her own healing ability. The pain and bitterness surged in her heart when Ji Xiaohai turned away, overwhelming her.

For seven years, Ji Xiaohai's words and actions had already seeped into her bones and blood, carrying so much of her youth and aspirations. She didn't cry because she didn't want to remember with tears, she didn't feel sad because she didn't want to reminisce with sadness, she didn't feel hurt because she didn't speak of it.

---

Next morning at the Planning Department of Fardale Group

As soon as Yun Qing entered the office, she saw that Qiao Xinyi was already there. She approached her with a cheerful smile. "Xinyi, I have good news to tell you."

"Did you step on dog poop on your way to work or were you a second late in clocking in?"

"Don't, I know I was too impulsive yesterday, I didn't prepare anything and just invited you. That Jiang Hao is indeed too arrogant, but..." Yun Qing's delicate face revealed a hint of cunning expression, "He's interested in you and even asked for your phone number."

Qiao Xinwei rolled her eyes and glanced at Yun Qing, "I was also wrong yesterday, I was too rude. But this early in the morning, do you have to tease me like this?"

"I'm not joking, it's true."

"Haha, forget it, I can't handle someone with eyes on top of their head."

"Don't be like this, don't you think his conditions are really good? My husband told me that his family is very influential. He may be arrogant, but he has the capital to be arrogant, much stronger than Ji Xiaohai by a hundred times."

Upon hearing the three words "Ji Xiaohai," Qiao Xinwei felt a pang of pain in her heart. She had never compared her blind date partners to Ji Xiaohai, and she was even less willing to compare her future husband to him. However, after spending so much time with Ji Xiaohai, subconsciously, she couldn't help but use him as a standard.

She thought she had hidden these thoughts well, but it was just self-deception.

Undeniably, every blind date, as the other party introduced themselves, she would unconsciously think of Ji Xiaohai.

Of course, it was also undeniable that this Jiang Hao, in terms of status and appearance, was several levels higher than Ji Xiaohai.

But love cannot be compared. Whoever compares, loses.

Yun Qing knew she had said the wrong thing. Those three words were Qiao Xinwei's sore spot. She exclaimed softly, "Oops," and quickly shut her mouth.

Qiao Xinwei forced a smile and said, "Okay, if he calls, for your sake, I will politely chat with him for a few minutes. But this kind of man with eyes on top of his head really isn't suitable for me."